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Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Vanbrugh 300 is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to develop a nationwide project that aims to broaden the awareness of Vanbrugh through special displays, free education programmes and lectures, throughout his tercentenary year in 2026.
In this recent episode (aired 1st Feb 2026), Countryfile explores the origins and legacy of Blenheim Palace, beginning with the first Duke of Marlborough, whose victory at the Battle of Blenheim was rewarded with the estate, its grounds, and funding for the construction of a grand palace. Kelly O’Driscoll, Head of Built Heritage, explains that while the initial budget was set at £300,000, equivalent to around £75 million today, the project vastly exceeded its original cost. Designed by John Vanbrugh, a playwright with exceptional connections and bold artistic vision, Blenheim was conceived as a monumental palace of national significance. Vanbrugh’s design represents an evolution of English Baroque architecture, incorporating Corinthian columns, imposing pediments decorated with floral motifs, and classical Greek references, all set within an exposed and dramatic landscape. The episode also highlights ongoing conservation challenges, particularly the use of limestone as a building material, which is prone to gradual disintegration over time.
